Objectives To assess the effectiveness of a low-resource-intensive lifestyle modification program incorporating resistance training (RT), and to compare a gymnasium-based to a home-based RT program, on diabetes diagnostic status and risk. Research design and methods A quasi-experimental two-group study was undertaken with 122 participants with diabetes risk factors—36.9% had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) at Baseline. The intervention included: a 6-week group self-management education program; a gymnasium-based or home-based 12-week resistance training program; and a 34-week maintenance program. Fasting and 2-hour plasma glucose (FPG, 2hrPG), blood lipids, blood pressure, body composition, physical activity and diet were assessed at Baseline and Week 52. Results Mean hrPG and FPG fell by 0.34 mmol/l (95% CI: −0.60, −0.08) and 0.15 mmol/l (95% CI: −0.23, −0.07) respectively. The proportion of participants with IFG or IGT decreased from 36.9% to 23.0% (p=0.006). Mean weight loss was 4.07 kg (95% CI: −4.99, −3.15). The only significant difference between resistance training groups was a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure for the gymnasium-based group (p=0.008). Conclusions This intervention significantly improved diabetes diagnostic status and reduced diabetes risk to a comparable degree to other low-resource-intensive lifestyle modification programs and more intensive interventions applied to people with IGT. Home-based and gymnasium-based RT did not differ significantly in their effects